Island families will enjoy the new “Take 30 for the Family” calendar, which promotes the importance of quality time with young children. The 12-month calendar starts with the month of September to celebrate the start of the school year. It is now available in many locations across PEI.
“Calendars are important items in the homes of busy young families,” says Minister Greenan. “We hope that this bright, new, made-for-PEI calendar will help Island families to organize structured and unstructured time together,” he said.
The calendar features PEI families from Tyne Valley to Fortune enjoying simple, unstructured activities like strolling the shoreline, reading books or untangling a fishing line. A recipe for a tasty tomato sauce by celebrity Chef Michael Smith is featured during March which is Nutrition month.
The calendar is the second phase of a social marketing campaign launched by government last spring. “Take 30 for the Family” provides parents with information, activity ideas, and tools to promote positive parenting and healthy brain development during a child’s early years.
“By choosing to spend quality time with their children during the very early years, mothers and fathers help them establish a healthy future,” says Sarah Henry, Healthy Child Development Coordinator. “Quality time does not need to be expensive or highly structured. Unstructured, free play time can be the greatest time of all,” she added.
Minister Greenan encouraged Islanders to pick up a calendar. “Families are busy and sometimes find it difficult to come up with creative ideas for activities,” he said. “This calendar is full of beautiful photos of Island families. It provides a concise guide to community resources and suggests fun ways for families to spend time together.”
Home Hardware and Co-op Atlantic stores are retail partners for the “Take 30 for the Family” project. They are stocking calendars in their outlets across PEI. Calendars are available at public health offices, provincial libraries and family resource centres.